Crew Hotel in NAS?

TFE731 · Post by **TFE731** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:30 pm

Was wondering if anyone could kindly suggest a good hotel/resort in Nassau, Bahamas that provides crew rates and is preferably on the beach.

Thanks

BusDriver · Post by **BusDriver** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:49 pm

I have stayed at the RIU Paradise Island, prearranged so I can't tell you if we got any discount. Paradise island is nice, but pretty far from the airport. The Radisson on Cable Beach might be a better choice.

Sulako · Post by **Sulako** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:29 pm

The British Colonial Hilton in Nassau is awesome if you get executive lounge priviledges.

Breezes is a decent all-inclusive place.

The radisson and wyndham are okay, but they are pretty crowded, and the all-inclusive package has pretty crappy food.

We generally stay @ the Hilton as it's right downtown and they let us eat and drink for free @ the lounge.

I haven't stayed at Atlantis on Paradise Island, but I'm sure it's okay. It's really crowded there though; it reminds me of Disney Land. The waterslides and aqua park are world-class; they'll let you in for $25 or so if you aren't a guest of the hotel and it's worth it for a day's entertainment.

Jetman28 · Post by **Jetman28** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:02 pm

Radisson is undergoing MAJOR renovation and as a result some of the restaurants and the 'lobby bar' is closed. This seriously cuts into the all-inclusive package, although I have heard that you can reserve dinner times at a couple of the restaurants at the Wyndham. Bear in mind though that everyone at the hotel is probably trying to book these times...
The Wyndham is not as run down as the Radisson and the rooms are marginally nicer as they had a face lift a few years ago, however it is expensive to eat and drink there...
The Nassau Beach is a write off.....
The Colonial Hilton is, as Sulako said, is right downtown and, if you are gold or diamond Hilton Honors, you can drink for free in the lounge from 1730 to 2145, not really a meal served in the evening, just snacks.. From there it is a short walk to Senior Frogs around the corner, where the sights are pretty good on the weekends...
Haven't stayed on Paradise Island, however I have heard good things about the RIU. If you are looking for all-inclusive that would probably be the place to go right now.
When are you heading down??

Speedbird Junior · Post by **Speedbird Junior** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:39 pm

British Colonnial Hilton is probably the best place. A few airlines stay there and its down town. Mac D's right across the street for those late night hunger attacks (although don't expect a smile from the servers - Nassau has to be one of the most unfriendly places on the islands) Not too far from other bars either.

For a one day session of great food and as much booze as you can drink over lunch, try Club Med on Paradise Island. They used to do a day pass for about USD35 including facilities and buffet lunch (all you can eat & drink at lunch!!)

TFE731 · Post by **TFE731** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:56 am

Jetman28 wrote: When are you heading down??

Mid December hopefully. Thanks for all the info. thus far. Time to start making some phone calls now.

3Green · Post by **3Green** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:24 am

Out on Cable Beach (between the City and the airport) I've stayed at Wyndham Crystal Palace (Casino) and Hotel. Awesome place. Really close to the airport too...cheaper cab ride. It's only a $1 bux/taxi ride into the city. There's a bunch of hotels along the strip at Cable Beach.

planett · Post by **planett** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:03 pm

And to finish off the night, it's legal to drink a beer while walking down the street as long as it's concealed in a bag. (circa 2002) The cold beer stores will supply you with one that just fits the bottle. (Drink Kalik)

Speedbird Junior · Post by **Speedbird Junior** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:33 pm

And to finish off the night, it's legal to drink a beer while walking down the street as long as it's concealed in a bag. (circa 2002) The cold beer stores will supply you with one that just fits the bottle. (Drink Kalik)

Cool...almost like drinking in England (without the bag)..

TFE731 · Post by **TFE731** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:58 am

Just called the British Colonial Hilton and was told they don't have aircrew rates for the weekend of the 16th. Must be getting busy down there already.

Jetman28 · Post by **Jetman28** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:07 am

Book it through Million Air, they have a rate with the Hilton.

TFE731 · Post by **TFE731** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:24 pm

Called Million Air and their rate through them is worse than the rate I can get at hotel sites online! I am deciding between the Radisson and the Wyndham. What do you guys suggest. Someone mentioned about Radisson undergoing renovations which cut into the all inclusive. We are not doing an all inclusive and are planning on going out for food but want to make sure we can still get drinks on the beach at this hotel. Anyone know? Which one is in a good location for walking and checking out the sites?

Thanks.

3Green · Post by **3Green** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:55 pm

I don't think either are particularly close in proximity to the city center of Nassau. They are, however, only a $1 taxi/bus ride into the city, then $1 return. They run very frequently. If you don't get one, you'll likely get yelled at by a passing motorist yelling "taxiiii???". Don't get in. It's scary as hell. Unless the car/bus/shitbox has a BLUE licence plate, it is NOT a taxi. It's a local trying to earn 3 or 4 dollars as he drives into town.

The bars to see (well, a couple of years ago) were "The Zoo"...it has a big Hummer in the side of teh wall. Good times there. It's between the city and the Wyndham. You'll learn the tricks about paying for cover TWICE. Ask around. Another good bar, that's on the far side of Nassau (near the bridge that you take to Paradise Island) is "Club Waterloo". Pretty wicked joint. Swimming pool in the courtyard in the middle of the place. Different rooms playing different music. Busy as hell. Cheap taxi ride from Wyndham. Then there is "Cocktails & Dreams" which is really close to the Wyndham. A bit dumpy, but it IS on the beach and does serve Kalik. The only thing I remember about this place is some rugby player taht kept pissing his pants while he was dancing/grinding/humping girls legs. He was wearing jeans. It was sick.

If you're not doing the all-inclusive, it gets expensive. There is a SBARRO (sp?) right beside the Wyndham. EX. PEN. SIIIIIVE. The restaurant in the Wyndham is pricey also. When in town there are a few places to go. One of them (I can't remember the name) is a fairly commercialized seafood restaurant across from the Sheraton. I didn't eat there, but from what I've heard, it's not worth the money you pay. Nice spot though. Make sure you try the Conch while you're there.

You can ALWAYS drink on the beach, wherever you are. Drink while driving even. At the Wyndham there is a liquor store close by (I think...I seemed to ALWAYS be in a liquor store). There is a swim up/piss-at bar also. There is a dude (I've seen him on "Wild On" too!) that climbs trees and pulls the coconuts off and drops them...then he cuts them open and makes "Rum Drink" in it...$5. He's hilarious. Have a listen.

If you're not staying at a hotel on Paradise Island, most of the hot-spots are off limits. Nice Casino, but there are guards cutting you off if you don't have the required wristbands to get to the hotel grounds "behind the scenes". Take a water-taxi from the Straw Market over there though...$3 and pretty good view of Nassau.

Do the Straw Market. Lots of junk, but fun to haggle with the locals inside. It's a great place to boost your self-esteem also! (Hey good-looking boy, you want some ashtray? Cheap cheap for you...you good lookin".) While you're there, you'll be offered absolutely every type of illicit drug you could think of. Just be nice and they'll be wicked friendly when you decline (or not?).

I've been to the Bahamas twice. Stayed at the Quality Inn on Junkanoo beach the first year, which was a riot. I was polluted 24/7 for 12 days (spring break). Second time stayed at the Wyndham (if you didn't guess) and had a great time there too. Although it seems out of the way (only 10 minute bus...or 2 hour walk...trust me, I stumbled it a few times), there really is alot to do, it's still really awesome at night.

Have a wicked trip! Wish I was going this year!!

Sulako · Post by **Sulako** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:10 pm

I'm in Nassau right now with Lisa, staying at the Hilton. It's a bit cold at the moment (24 degrees) but other than that, it's been a perfect visit.

We went to the straw market today and marvelled at the huge selection of counterfeit Gucci purses and Rolex watches, along with wicker purses with Hello Kitty on them, etc. It was a blast.

Yesterday we went over to Atlantis as Lisa hadn't been there before. We paid $58 US to see the aquariums, which were spectacular but would have been a much better value at $20 or so. We wanted to go on the water slides at Atlantis, but we would have had to get a day-room to qualify and the day rooms are $250 so that was out of the question.

Anyway, about food:

The fish fry is an area of about 20 small shacks where the locals go to eat, and it's a great place to check out 'real' bahamian food, along with pina coladas that will bring you to your knees after the first one.

If you want to splurge and have a life-experience, go to the Humidor restaurant, where meat meets meat. It's $40 per person to walk through the door, plus booze, but it's worth it. It's all-you-can-eat meat. We are going tonight. Last time I went (a month or two ago) I ate 14 different kinds of delicious roast meats, comprising 5 species. Ignore the salad and the low-rent meats like chicken wings and sausage and concentrate on the flank steak, the filets, the duck, the lamb, the pork loin and the other zillion kinds of roasts they offer.

3Green · Post by **3Green** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:07 pm

Isn't it the "Friday night Feesh Fry" that's the best one? That place is alot of fun also...and it's on the way into Nassau from the Wyndham.

Jetman28 · Post by **Jetman28** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:38 pm

'The Zoo' unfortunately burned down about a year and a half to two years ago. 'Club Waterloo', although a pretty cool place, is very much a 'local' club when I was there last year. We were the only 'non-locals' there (don't ask me how we got there, it was after Frog's closed for the night) and, although people were very nice, it was not a very comfortable environment... I have heard that the nightclub at the Atlantis is a good place to go but not sure on the prices.. One thing to remember is that the $1 buses only run until a certain time at night, so you can catch one into town, but will probably end up having to cab it back to the hotel.

Not sure about the restauruant across from the Sheraton, however Conch Fritters, across from the Hilton is ok, The Pirate Bar by the Hilton is also ok, but is mostly appetizer type food. There are the traditional American restaurants including; Hard Rock Cafe, Outback, Subway. Starbucks, down by the water taxis is always fun when the ships are in to people watch from..

Most of the hotels have drinks on the beach that can be charged to the room and therefore you don't have to carry cash.

Have fun...